About Privacy International

For more than two decades, governments and companies have used powerful computer technology to collect, process and disseminate a vast spectrum of personal information. Since the late 1980s, when computer and telecommunications systems began to converge, this process has accelerated. The result is that personal privacy is endangered as never before. During 1990, in response to a growing number of privacy threats, more than a hundred leading privacy experts and Human Rights organizations from forty countries linked arms to form a world organization for the protection of privacy. Members of the new body, including computer professionals, academics, lawyers, journalists, jurists and human rights activists, had a common interest in promoting an international understanding of the importance of privacy and data protection. Meetings of the group, which took the name Privacy International, were held throughout that year in North America, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific, and members agreed to work toward the establishment of effective privacy protection throughout the world. The formation of Privacy International is the first successful attempt to establish a structured world focus on this crucial area of human rights. Privacy International is an independent, non-government organization with the primary role of advocacy and support.

Campaigns and Networking

Privacy International has been most prominent in North America, Europe and Asia, where it has liaised with local human rights organisations to raise awareness about the development of national surveillance systems. The network has also been used by law reform and human rights organisations in more than twenty countries to assist local privacy issues. In Thailand and the Philippines, for example, Privacy International worked with local human rights bodies to develop national campaigns against the establishment of government identity card systems. In Canada, New Zealand, the United States, Hungary, Australia and the United Kingdom we have promoted privacy issues through national media and through public campaigns. Privacy International has been most prominent in North America, Europe and Asia, where it has liaised with local human rights organisations to raise awareness about the development of national surveillance systems. The network has also been used by law reform and human rights organisations in more than twenty countries to assist local privacy issues. In Thailand and the Philippines, for example, Privacy International worked with local human rights bodies to develop national campaigns against the establishment of government identity card systems. In Canada, New Zealand, the United States, Hungary, Australia and the United Kingdom we have promoted privacy issues through national media and through public campaigns.

Conferences

Privacy International organises several conferences each year. Two are held at the time of the International Conference of Privacy and Data Protection Commissioners, and the US based Computers, Freedom and Privacy conference. These conferences have been held in Sydney, Washington, Manchester, Chicago, San Francisco, the Hague, Copenhagen, Ottawa, London, Hong Kong, and Venice. They bring together an unprecedented diversity of interest groups and expertise.

Electronic Archive

PI also has an extensive archive of material on international privacy including major international agreements, country reports, and constitutions located on the World Wide Web at http://www.privacyinternational.org/.

Structure and Finances

Privacy International has received funding and support from a range of Foundations, academic establishments and non-government organisations. These include The Stern Foundation, The Privacy Foundation, The German Marshall Fund, the Soros Foundation, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, The Fund for Constitutional Government and the University of New South Wales (Sydney). The organisation is also minimally financed through contributions. Privacy International an independant non-profit organization chartered in the UK. Its US organization is administered through the Fund for Constitutional Government in Washington DC.

Activities for 2002

In 2002, Privacy International will produce an update of its annual "Privacy and Human Rights" survey of privacy laws and practices in over 50 countries around the world. Privacy International will also be organizing at least two Big Brother Awards in San Francisco, CA in April and London, UK in March. Privacy International will also be sponsoring a conference on privacy and anti-terrorism in London in September.

Contact info

Privacy International London Headquarters 2nd Floor, Lancaster House, 33 Islington High Street, London N1 9LH, UK 07947 778247 (from UK) + 44- 7947 778247 (outside UK) Privacy International Washington Office 1718 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20009 USA 1-202-483-1217 (phone) 1-202-483-1248 (fax) Please send comments and suggestions to privacyint@privacy.org